Describe your favorite singer.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

Who is it?
Where & when did you hear him/her sing?
Explain why you like his/her music?

29 unique answers with expert feedback

What specific qualities do you admire in Taylor Swift's music?

I admire her ability to blend catchy melodies with deep, relatable lyrics. Her storytelling resonates with many, and she has a unique way of expressing emotions that makes her songs feel personal and impactful.

How has Taylor Swift influenced your taste in music?

Taylor Swift has broadened my musical horizons. Her genre versatility, from country to pop, has encouraged me to explore different styles and appreciate various artists, leading to a more diverse music playlist.

Can you share a memorable experience related to her music?

One memorable experience was singing along to 'Love Story' at a friend's birthday party. It brought everyone together, and we all felt a sense of joy and nostalgia, making it a cherished moment that I'll always remember.

Band 7

00:00

My favorite singer is Shreya Ghoshal. She was born and brought up in West Bengal. Basically her language is Bengali but she can sing profoundly in 15 to 16 languages. The reason why I like her songs is because her voice texture is so sweet. It just tastes like a Mysore Pak. Whenever I listen to her songs I feel very happy. It just relaxes my ears, mind, my body and complete soul. Her songs gives a full package of energy and boosts my confidence. Whenever I travel to certain places I definitely listen to her songs because in addition to the scenic views her songs gives a good vibe. She also judges a reality show called Indian Ideal where many people just inspired to become a good singer like her. By taking her as inspiration even I tried to sing some songs but I miserably failed due to lack of balance between my vocal chords. But some day or other day even I like to train in classical music and then sing like her, at least 10% of her.

Follow up questions

What other artists do you enjoy listening to?

Apart from Shreya Ghoshal, I also enjoy listening to artists like Arijit Singh and Lata Mangeshkar. Their music has a unique charm and emotional depth that resonates with me. I appreciate their ability to convey feelings through their songs.

How has Shreya Ghoshal influenced your taste in music?

Shreya Ghoshal has significantly influenced my taste in music by introducing me to various genres and languages. Her versatility inspires me to explore different musical styles and appreciate the beauty of diverse cultures through their music.

Have you attended any concerts of your favorite singer?

Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to attend any of Shreya Ghoshal's concerts yet. However, I would love to experience her live performance someday, as I believe it would be an unforgettable experience to hear her voice in person.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 6-7

00:00

My favorite singer is the Albanian singer by the name of Nicki Minaj. She broke into the music scene with her single called No Lie, but that was not the first time I got to know about her. It was during my search on YouTube that I came across her performance in one of the concerts in England and right from that point I was mesmerized and captivated by her singing and performance. She is also able to write her own lyrics which adds depth to her musical journey and makes her even more mysterious and enticing. Her performances are groundbreaking and a delight to watch for one and all. She recently paid visit to my hometown and promised all the city dwellers that she would be back again, this time for a live concert. I am looking forward to more music from her in the coming times.

Follow up questions

What do you like most about Nicki Minaj's music?

I love how she blends different genres and styles in her music. Her ability to switch from rap to singing effortlessly keeps her songs fresh and exciting. Additionally, her lyrics often tell a story or convey strong emotions, which resonates with many listeners.

How has Nicki Minaj influenced your taste in music?

Nicki Minaj has broadened my musical horizons. Before discovering her, I primarily listened to pop music. Her unique style and confidence inspired me to explore more hip-hop and R&B artists, which has enriched my overall music experience.

What do you think about her impact on the music industry?

Nicki Minaj has had a significant impact on the music industry, especially for female artists. She has paved the way for more women in hip-hop and has shown that they can be both powerful and versatile. Her success has encouraged many aspiring artists to pursue their dreams.

Band 6-7

00:00

I like to listen to music a lot. I really enjoy listening to music and especially Bollywood music and the music in Hindi language and hence that is why my favourite singer is Sunidhi Chauhan. I love her singing and her songs. She has a really captivating voice which really engages all the listeners including myself. I also admire her a lot as one of the reason is she is one of the top most singer of our country and she is a female artist. Currently there is still a lot of male obsession in predominant male areas including Bollywood as well. So Sunidhi as a female artist has made a great impact on our music industry and has fans all over the world. In fact just I would say past few years she went into this transformation which had really inspired me. I recently saw one of her podcast where she was explaining how she managed her work and followed really healthy diet and a good workout to be a healthy situation in her body which really inspired me to actually join the gym and a few diet proceeds as well. Recently I would say just three months back in Mumbai at Mahalakshmi Racecourse I had attended one of her concerts. It was my first concert of my life and it was by my favorite singer. So it was a really memorable moment for me. The performance was amazing. She had great energy, great performance, great stage appearance and very confident. Everyone really enjoyed the concert.

Follow up questions

What other genres of music do you enjoy besides Bollywood?

Besides Bollywood music, I also enjoy listening to pop and classical music. I find that different genres can evoke various emotions and moods, and I love exploring new sounds and artists from around the world.

How do you think music influences people's lives?

Music has a profound impact on people's lives. It can uplift moods, provide comfort during tough times, and even inspire individuals to take action, like how Sunidhi's transformation inspired me to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Have you ever tried singing or performing music yourself?

Yes, I have tried singing a few times, especially during family gatherings or karaoke nights. While I enjoy it, I know I am not as talented as professional singers like Sunidhi Chauhan, but it’s always fun to express myself through music.

Band 6-7

00:00

So my favorite singer is Taylor Swift. She is widely known for her music and now she has become a billionaire because of her career. I listened to her music in a random reel and I liked it. Then I started listening to all of her albums that she has put on since she was 17. I have been a fan of hers for 2 years now. A lot of my cousins and friends recommended me her songs but I was not very interested in them. But when I started listening to her and her albums which has extreme deep meanings and lyrics that I actually relate to and a lot of her albums such as Lover, The Tortured Poets Department and Midnights have been so helpful for me over time. The new album that she released a year ago is The Tortured Poets Department and I love that album because of how much variety she has in just an album. It consists of 30-35 songs and all of them are so much different than the other and it's been a blast. It was a blast when I visited her concert, when I spent time with my friends.

Follow up questions

What do you think makes Taylor Swift's music relatable?

I believe Taylor Swift's music is relatable because she writes about personal experiences and emotions that many people go through. Her lyrics often touch on themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, which resonate with listeners of all ages.

How has Taylor Swift influenced your taste in music?

Taylor Swift has broadened my musical taste significantly. Before her, I mostly listened to pop music, but now I appreciate various genres, including country and indie. Her storytelling style has also inspired me to pay more attention to lyrics and the messages behind songs.

What was your experience like at Taylor Swift's concert?

Attending Taylor Swift's concert was an unforgettable experience! The energy in the crowd was electric, and seeing her perform live brought her songs to life in a way that recordings can't. I enjoyed singing along with my friends and feeling connected to other fans.

Show all 29 answers

Cue 1:Who is it?

Begin by introducing the singer's name and a brief background about them.
Mention any notable achievements or characteristics that make them stand out.

Example

My favorite singer is Arijit Singh, a renowned playback singer in India. He gained fame through his soulful voice and has won numerous awards, including Filmfare Awards for Best Playback Singer.

Cue 2:Where & when did you hear him/her sing?

Describe a specific event or moment when you first heard the singer perform.
Include details about the setting, such as whether it was a live concert, a movie, or on the radio.

Example

I first heard Arijit Singh sing during a friend's wedding in 2015. He performed live, and the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was captivated by his voice as he sang 'Tum Hi Ho,' which was a huge hit at that time.

Cue 3:Explain why you like his/her music?

Discuss the emotional impact his/her music has on you.
Mention specific songs or albums that resonate with you and why.

Example

I love Arijit Singh's music because it evokes deep emotions. His song 'Channa Mereya' always brings tears to my eyes as it beautifully captures the essence of love and longing. His ability to convey feelings through his voice is truly remarkable.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the singer and their music.
Express how their music has influenced your life or your taste in music.

Example

In conclusion, Arijit Singh is not just my favorite singer; his music has been a significant part of my life. It has inspired me during tough times and added joy to my happiest moments.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Lack of Specific Details

Avoid vague answers that do not provide specific details about the singer or your experiences. This can make your response less engaging and informative.